Critique against social injustice in the Book of Amos: its relevance to development in Nigeria

Abstract

In the Old Testament book of Amos, the basic message of prophet Amos stresses the divine demand for social justice and concern for the oppressed in 8th century Israel. Many among Israel’s wealthy members of the society at the time of Amos chose to be unjust and to treat the disadvantaged as they wished. Amos connects the injustice he sees around him to a society bent on wealth and prosperity while being forgetful of the true worship of God. As justice was denied in Amos’ time, so also it is being denied in contemporary Nigerian society. The research examined some of the social injustices observable in Nigeria such as socio-economic injustice, socio-political injustice, socio-religious injustice and socio-judicial injustice. It is the conclusion of this paper that for a meaningful development in Nigerian society, Nigerians should learn to practise social justice as demanded in the book of Amos.